Prospectors say park recommendations not enough

The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria says recommendations to allow prospecting in three new parks do not go far enough.

The Victorian Environmental and Assessment Council (VEAC) examined where recreational gold and gemstone prospecting could be allowed in nine national and state parks.

It has recommended opening up more than 20,000 hectares to prospecting, across the Alpine and Lake Eildon national parks and the Lerderderg State Park.

Rita Bentley from the Prospecting and Miners Association of Victoria says that is not enough.

"We will be seeking actually further access than what VEAC are talking about," she said.

"We don't think they've gone anywhere near far enough and we believe prospecting should be permitted in some areas of the nine parks and greater areas of the parks than has actually [been] recommended."